Multi-level mounting system

ABSTRACT

A tiered mounting system includes a base plate including a mounting guide rail having a plurality of mounting grooves that extend along opposing sides of the guide rail. The system also includes an object mount connector having a plurality of mounting ridges. The object mount connector is configured to: slidingly engage the mounting guide rail via insertion of one or more of the plurality of mounting ridges within a corresponding one or more of the plurality of mounting grooves, and lock in place along the mounting guide rail via a bolt placed through the object mount connector and secured tightly to an inner track of the mounting guide rail.

BACKGROUND

Various tools and components for mounting solar panels and other objectsto a surface, such as the roof of a building, are available, andoccasionally, the components or parts may be specific to a particularsolar panel installation system. For example, the solar panels beingmounted by a first contractor may be the same or significantly similarto solar panels being mounted to a surface by a second contractor.However, depending on factors such as surface characteristics or merelythe preference of the installing contractor, the first contractor mayselect to use a different mounting system than the second contractor.Despite the differences between various mounting systems, there may becertain parts that are the same or sufficiently similar to parts indifferent branded or styled systems that the parts may beinterchangeable. Accordingly, while some commonly used components in theindustry may be considered to be fairly generic and may function withdifferent makes or models of solar panels regardless of sizing, thereare other components for which multiple distinct sizes may bemanufactured in order to accommodate different sizes or heights of thesystem being installed. As such, it may be cumbersome and/orinconvenient for a contractor to carry and/or keep in stock the multipledifferent sized components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items. Furthermore, the drawings may be considered asproviding an approximate depiction of the relative sizes of theindividual components within individual figures. However, the drawingsare not to scale, and the relative sizes of the individual components,both within individual figures and between the different figures, mayvary from what is depicted. In particular, some of the figures maydepict components as a certain size or shape, while other figures maydepict the same components on a larger scale or differently shaped forthe sake of clarity.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a base member of a multi-levelmounting system according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front side view of the base member in FIG. 1Aaccording to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an object mount connector ofthe multi-level mounting system according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front side view of the object mount connector inFIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front side view of a first position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front side view of a second position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates a front side view of a third position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the multi-level mounting system includingthe base member in FIG. 1A and the object mount connector in FIG. 2Awith a bolt and nut aligned with the combination according to anembodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the multi-level mounting system installedon a roof for mounting an object thereto according to an embodiment ofthe instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This disclosure is directed generally to a multi-level mounting system.The multi-level mounting system includes features that provide a userthe ability to quickly and easily adjust the mounting height of themount system without having to swap any components of the system fordifferently sized components. The multi-level mounting system disclosedherein may be used to mount solar panels, or objects other than solarpanels, to a surface such as a roof of a building structure.

The multi-level mounting system may include two components configured toengage and connect with each other in a multitude of orientations suchthat the system has a different overall height for each variation ofengagement between the two components.

The first component of the multi-level mounting system is a base memberthat is to be secured to a surface and which anchors a mounted object tothe surface. The base member is configured to receive the secondcomponent of the multi-level mounting system, an object mount connector,which functions as an intermediary connection between the object beingmounted and the base member. The base member may have a flat plate shapeon one side and a mounting portion on the opposing side. The flat sideof the base member may be placed against the mounting surface andsecured thereto via fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, etc.). Themounting portion (also referred to herein as a mounting guide rail and atiered mounting portion) of the base member is configured to engage withthe object mount connector in order to mount the object to the surface.

The structural connecting features that facilitate engagement betweenthe object mount connector and the base member may includecorrespondingly shaped convexities and concavities in the respectiveprofiles of the object mount connector and the base member. In anexample embodiment, a concave section of the object mount connector isshaped to accommodate a corresponding convex section of the base member,and vice versa. Additionally, the structural features that facilitatethe engagement between the object mount connector and the base membersimultaneously provide a way to secure the object to the surface. Thatis, in addition to the correspondingly shaped convexities andconcavities, the base member includes a lipped opening in a centerportion thereof in which, during installation, the head of a bolt may beinserted. The head of the bolt catches on the lipped opening, preventingthe bolt from coming out. The bolt is further inserted through boltholes in the object mount connector in alignment with the base member,and a nut secures the bolt above the object mount connector to therebymount an object.

In addition to facilitating engagement between the base member with theobject mount connector, the connecting features facilitate changing theoverall height of the multi-level mounting system. Note, the “connectingfeatures” as discussed herein refers to parts of both the base memberand the object mount connector that permit connection therebetween.However, individually, the connecting feature of the base member isreferred to as the mounting portion discussed above, and the connectingfeature of the object mount connector refers to any of a plurality ofattachment sections, each configured to engage the mounting portion ofthe base member in a structurally similar manner, and each forming adifferent height. Thus, by changing which attachment section of theobject mount connector engages the base member, the overall height ofthe multi-level mounting system changes. Conveniently, a single objectmount connector may be utilized to form at least three different overallheights of the multi-level mounting system. As such, the disclosedmulti-level mounting system may eliminate the conventional need to carryand stock multiple different sized mounting connector components for agiven installation. Therefore, the multi-level mounting system describedherein simplifies the installation process of mounting solar panelsand/or other objects to a surface.

With further respect to the attachment sections of the object mountconnector, the attachment sections may be discussed with respect to thelocation of the attachment sections on the object mount connector,and/or with respect to the level within the tiers of attachment sectionsat a specified location on the object mount connector. Specifically,attachment sections may protrude from a side of the object mountconnector and/or may be stacked in tiers, creating multiple levels withwhich to engage the base member.

When referring to the attachment sections based on the location thereofon the object mount connector, in an example embodiment, the attachmentsections may protrude from a side of the object mount connector in thewidth direction and/or may protrude from a side of the object mountconnector in the length direction. By engaging the object mountconnector to the base member using an attachment section on the side inthe width direction, the overall height is less than when engaging anattachment section on the side in the length direction.

Further, when referring to the attachment sections based on the levelthereof within the tiers on the object mount connector, in an exampleembodiment, the attachment sections are individual levels among thetiers on either side of the object mount connector in the width andlength directions. That is, the attachment sections on the side in thewidth direction are tiered to provide at least a first height and asecond height variation when the side in the width direction is engaged.Likewise, when the side in the length direction is engaged, theattachment sections are also tiered to provide at least a third heightand a fourth height variation. The difference in the multiple heightsmay be determined by comparing the distance between a point on the flatplate of the base member with a point on the object mount connector thatis farthest away from the plate of the base member. A comparison of thedistance between the same points in each tier shows that the overallheight of the multi-level mounting system is distinct for each tier uponengagement.

Moreover, in an embodiment, the mounting portion of the base member maybe elongated to extend along a length of the base member. As such, theengagement between the object mount connector and the base member may bea sliding engagement so that the position of the object mount connectormay be slidingly adjustable prior to being secured tightly via the boltand nut being tightened. Such a configuration provides a user with theability to adjust the object mount connector along a length direction ofthe base member at small increments in order to position the solarpanels or other objects more precisely.

Illustrative Embodiments of a Multi-Level Mounting System

In FIG. 1A, a base member 100 is depicted in perspective view. Forreference purposes throughout this description, a length direction L, awidth direction W, and a height direction H are shown with respect tobase member 100. While depicted as an elongated structure, it iscontemplated that base member 100 may be shorter in the length directionL than is depicted. Inasmuch as FIG. 1B depicts a front side view ofbase member 100 in FIG. 1A, any reference numbers shown on FIG. 1A areequally applicable to corresponding features in FIG. 1B, and vice versa.

Base member 100 includes a surface anchor portion 102. As depicted,surface anchor portion 102 may be substantially planar. However, it iscontemplated that surface anchor portion 102 may alternatively benon-planar to accommodate the shape of a non-planar surface on whichbase member 100 may be mounted. Base member 100 may be mounted to anysuitable surface via correspondingly suitable means according to thesurface material and the amount of force under which the user desiresthat the object being mounted can withstand before the base member 100is removed. For example, base member 100 may include one or morefastener holes 100(fh) via which one or more fasteners (not depicted)may secure base member 100 to a surface.

Base member 100 may further include a mounting portion 104 formed on thesurface anchor portion 102. Mounting portion 104 may protrudesubstantially orthogonally from and with respect to the upper face ofsurface anchor portion 102. In an embodiment in which base member 100 iselongated (as shown) such that mounting portion 104 extends in thelength direction L to a dimension greater than a dimension of a width ofmounting portion in the width direction W, mounting portion 104 duallyfunctions as a guide rail.

With respect to the structure of mounting portion 104, in an exampleembodiment as shown, a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls 106 a,106 b define opposing lateral perimeters of mounting portion 104.Inasmuch as sidewalls 106 a, 106 b are not connected to each other attop edges thereof, sidewalls 106 a, 106 b further define an open channel108 therebetween. The outside profile of each sidewall 106 a, 106 b mayinclude one or more protrusions, such as protrusion 110 a and protrusion110 b, that protrude outwardly from an outer surface of respectivesidewalls 106 a, 106 b. Protrusions 110 a, 110 b may extend in thelength direction L and protrude from respective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b,such that a distance in the height direction H from the plane of theupper surface of surface anchor portion 102 to a protrusion is apredetermined distance. Protrusions 110 a, 110 b may be aligned on afirst plane that extends substantially in parallel to the plane of theupper surface of surface anchor portion 102. As a pair, protrusions 110a, 110 b serve as a first mounting tier for engagement with an objectmount connector (see FIG. 2).

Mounting portion 104 may further include a second mounting tier definedby a second set of protrusions 112 a, 112 b. As depicted, protrusions112 a, 112 b protrude from the outer surface at the upper ends of therespective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b and are aligned on a second plane thatextends substantially in parallel to the plane of the upper surface ofsurface anchor portion 102. Furthermore, protrusions 112 a, 112 b may belocated in vertical alignment with, and spaced apart from, protrusions110 a, 110 b of the first tier.

Accordingly, mounting portion 104 may include a plurality of mountingtiers spaced a desired or predetermined distance apart. Across-sectional profile of mounting portion 104, taken along line A-Awhich is orthogonal to the length direction L, includes a series ofconvexities (e.g., protrusions 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, and 112 b) andconcavities (e.g., space 114 on outer surface of sidewall 106 a betweenprotrusions 110 a and 110 b), where the concavities are “valleys”adjacent to and/or in between protruding convexities. The convex/concaveprofile creates an interlocking connection with the object mountconnector.

Though described above and depicted in the corresponding figures asextending substantially on the same plane, it is contemplated that apair of protrusions that make up a tier may be staggered in height onopposite sides of mounting portion 104, such that the respectiveprotrusions extend on different planes.

In addition to protrusions 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, and 112 b, mountingportion 104 may include lips 116 a, 116 b that provide resistance toremoval of a mounted object. Lips 116 a, 116 b extend inward towardchannel 108 at the upper ends of the respective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b.While not in contact with each other and thus not enclosing channel 108,lips 116 a, 116 b extend toward each other into channel 108 to theextent that the shaft of a bolt (not shown in FIG. 1A or 1B) isinsertable between lips 116 a, 116 b while the head of the bolt isinserted in channel 108 beneath lips 116 a, 116 b. Moreover, lips 116 a,116 b prevent the bolt from being pulled upward and out of channel 108because the outer dimension of the head of the bolt is greater than adimension of the gap between lip 116 a and lip 116 b. As such, the headof the bolt cannot pass between lips 116 a, 116 b.

In an embodiment, a structural support rib 118 may extend betweensidewall 106 a and sidewall 106 b. Support rib 118 may be disposedwithin channel 108, beneath lips 116 a, 116 b, and above the upper faceof surface anchor portion 102. Additionally, support rib 118 may beformed integrally with base member 100, for example, where base member100 is an extruded component of the mounting system. Disposed internallyin mount portion 104 and spanning channel 108 between sidewalls 106 a,106 b, support rib 118 may provide lateral stabilization strength tosidewalls 106 a, 106 b and minimize a risk of sidewalls 106 a, 106 bbending out of place during transit or inclement weather afterinstallation.

In FIG. 2A, an object mount connector 200 is depicted in perspectiveview. Unlike base member 100, which is secured to a surface in the sameorientation each time, object mount connector 200 may be mounted ontobase member 100 from one of two sides thereof. That is, when mounting anobject with the instant mounting system, surface anchor portion 102 isoriented so that the flat side of surface anchor portion 102 is incontact with the surface to which an object is to be mounted. Thus, FIG.1A shows the height, length, and width directions. In contrast, whenobject mount connector 200 is oriented as depicted in FIG. 2A, formounting on an end thereof, the longest dimension (length L′) of theobject mount connector 200 extends vertically, whereas when oriented formounting from a side orthogonal to the end thereof, length L′ extendshorizontally and a smaller dimension (width W′) of the object mountconnector 200 extends vertically. Thus, although the height of an objectgenerally refers to a vertical dimension, since there are two possibleorientations from which a height may be determined with respect to theobject mount connector 200, a reference designation of height is notlabeled in FIG. 2A. Rather, for reference purposes and regardless oforientation, length L′ hereinafter refers to the longest dimension andthe accompanying direction of the object mount connector 200, and widthW′ refers to the shorter dimension that is orthogonal in direction tolength L′ with respect to the front view of object mount connector 200in FIG. 2B. Additionally, a thickness t′ of object mount connector 200is shown in FIG. 2A. Inasmuch as FIG. 2B depicts a front side view ofobject mount connector 200 in FIG. 2A, any reference numbers shown onFIG. 2A are equally applicable to corresponding features in FIG. 2B, andvice versa.

A body portion 202 of object mount connector 200 is depicted as a dashedline, as shown in FIG. 2B. Integral with body portion 202 may be a firstattachment section 204 (also depicted as a dashed line) and a secondattachment section 206 (also depicted as a dashed line). Firstattachment section 204 and second attachment section 206 are integratedinto adjacent sides of object mount connector 200 and are formed withbody portion 202 at particular dimensions so that, upon connectingobject mount connector 200 with base member 100 during use, the overallheight of the assembled mounting system meets predetermined heightdimensions, which may be industry standard dimensions for objectmounting.

Inasmuch as each of first attachment section 204 and second attachmentsection 206 are sized to connect with the same mount portion 104, thecomponents and features of first attachment section 204 and secondattachment section 206 may be similarly sized and structure. As such,elements and features of “an attachment section,” though referenced withreference numbers only depicted in second attachment section 206, arediscussed herein generically with applicability to both first attachmentsection 204 and second attachment section 206.

Therefore, in an embodiment, an attachment section (204, 206) mayinclude a pair of opposing sidewalls 208 a, 208 b that extend from bodyportion 202 forming a channel 210 therebetween. In the depiction of FIG.2B, sidewalls 208 a, 208 b further extend in the direction accompanyinglength L′. Each sidewall 208 a, 208 b may include respective protrusions212 a, 214 a and protrusions 212 b, 214 b.

Similar to the protrusions of base member 100 as discussed above, a pairof aligned protrusions 212 a, 212 b serve as an attachment section tierfor engagement with base member 100. Another pair of protrusions 214 a,214 b also serve as an attachment section tier for engagement with basemember 100. Note, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “attachmentsection” may refer to an individual tier among adjacent tiers, such thateach tier is an “attachment section,” and/or “an attachment section” mayrefer to a collective group of aligned tiers on object mount connector200.

Protrusions 212 a and 214 a are spaced apart so as to form a space 216therebetween. Protrusions 212 b and 214 b are similarly spaced apartalong the same planes as corresponding tier protrusions 212 a and 214 a,respectively. Thus, like base member 100, the profile of object mountconnector 200 includes convexities and adjacent concavities. However,since object mount connector 200 is intended to interlock and mount tobase member 100, spaces such as space 216 and protrusions 212 a, 212 b,214 a, 214 b are shifted in positional alignment, so that protrusions212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b may be inserted into correspondingconcavities of base member 100, such as space 114, while protrusions 110a, 110 b, 112 a, 112 b may be inserted into corresponding concavities ofobject mount connector 200. Further, protrusions 212 a, 212 b, 214 a,214 b protrude inwardly toward channel 210. Accordingly, mount portion104 is sized and shaped to be inserted into channel 210 of object mountconnector 200, (or stated inversely—first and second attachment sections204, 206 are sized and shaped to slide onto mount portion 104) andthereby engage and interlock together.

Connection between object mount connector 200 and base member 100 mayoccur via a multitude of orientations. That is, due to the number oftiers and the plurality of attachment sections, object mount connector200 may engage base member 100 using a single tier or both tiers, on oneof either first attachment section 204 or second attachment section 206.Therefore, the overall height of the mounting system may vary dependingon the orientation of object mount connector 200 with respect to basemember 100. Taller mount systems may be achieved by connecting one ormore tiers from second attachment section 206 to mount portion 104 ofbase member 100 because the longest dimension length L′ is orientedvertically. In contrast, shorter mount systems may be achieved byconnecting one or more tiers from first attachment section 204 to mountportion 104 of base member 100 because the shorter dimension width W′ isoriented vertically.

Object mount connector 200 further includes a bolt hole 218 extending inthe width W′ direction through a wall of body portion 202, where thewall extends in the thickness t′ direction and in the length L′direction. An axis of bolt hole 218 is aligned to pass through bodyportion 202 and a center of first attachment section 204. Thusly, a boltmay be inserted through object mount connector 200 via bolt hole 218 tosecure object mount connector 200 to base member 100 upon engagementwith a nut outside of object mount connector 200. Likewise, object mountconnector 200 also includes a bolt hole 220 extending in the length L′direction through a wall of body portion 202, where the wall extends inthe thickness t′ direction and the width W′ direction. An axis of bolthole 220 is aligned to pass through body portion 202 and a center ofsecond attachment section 206. Thusly, a bolt may be inserted throughobject mount connector 200 via bolt hole 220 to secure object mountconnector 200 to base member 100 upon engagement with a nut outside ofobject mount connector 200.

It is noted that body portion 202 of object mount connector 200 mayfurther include one or more holes 222, as seen in FIG. 2B, extending inthe thickness t′ direction for several reasons, such as material costsavings, weight reduction, manufacturability, etc.

FIG. 3A depicts a mount system 300 including a base member 302 attachedto an object mount connector 304 via a first tier and a second tier of afirst attachment section. In the orientation shown in FIG. 3A, mountsystem 300 is at the shortest overall height orientation available inthe particular embodiment shown. FIG. 3B depicts mount system 300including base member 302 attached to object mount connector 304 viaonly the first tier of the first attachment section. In the orientationshown in FIG. 3B, mount system 300 is at the second shortest overallheight orientation available in the particular embodiment shown. FIG. 3Cdepicts mount system 300 including base member 302 attached to objectmount connector 304 via a first tier and a second tier of a secondattachment section. In the orientation shown in FIG. 3C, mount system300 is at the second tallest overall height orientation available in theparticular embodiment shown.

In FIG. 4, a multi-level mounting system 400 is shown in an explodedview. Mounting system 400 includes a base member 402, an object mountconnector 404, a bolt 406, and a nut 408. As depicted, the outerdimension of bolt head 406(b) is larger than a gap 410 between the lips(not numbered) in base member 402, yet is smaller than the widthdimension of a channel 412 therein. Thus, bolt 406 may be insertedthrough bolt hole 414 that extends through object mount connector 404 tobe received by nut 408, and object mount connector 404 may slide ontobase member 402. The process of sliding object mount connector 404 ontobase member 402 includes sliding bolt head 406(b) into channel 412 Note,though depicted as having a threaded surface only on a distal end ofbolt 406, bolt 406 is not limited to such and may have as much as anentirety of the shaft threaded.

Further, in an embodiment of a mount system 500 depicted in FIG. 5, insecuring an object 502 (such as an L-bracket as depicted) to a surface504, bolt 506 may first pass through a bolt hole (not labeled) in objectmount connector 508. The bolt head slides into the channel of basemember 510 before passing through object 502. Further, nut 512 thatsecures bolt 506 at the top of object 502, as shown in FIG. 5. Note,base member 510 may be secured to surface 504 via one or more fasteners514.

CONCLUSION

Although several embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features oracts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-level mounting system for mounting anobject to a surface, comprising: a base member including: a surfaceanchor portion configured to be secured to the surface as an anchor formounting the object, and a tiered mounting portion having a profile andprotruding from the surface anchor portion; and an object mountconnector configured to interconnect the object to the surface and to beretained in a mounting position by the base member, the object mountconnector including: a body portion, a first attachment sectionprotruding from the body portion and having a profile shaped tointerlock with at least a portion of the profile of the tiered mountingportion, and a second attachment section protruding from the bodyportion and having a profile shaped to interlock with at least theportion of the profile of the tiered mounting portion, wherein, uponengagement between the tiered mounting portion and one of the firstattachment section or the second attachment section, the object mountconnector is retained in the mounting position.
 2. The multi-levelmounting system according to claim 1, wherein: when the tiered mountingportion is engaged with the first attachment section: the mountingposition is a first mounting position, and a distance between a point onthe base member to a point on the body of the object mount connector isa first dimension, and when the tiered mounting portion is engaged withthe second attachment section: the mounting position is a secondmounting position, the second mounting position being distinct from thefirst mounting position, and the distance between the point on the basemember to the point on the body of the object mount connector is asecond dimension that is distinct from the first dimension.
 3. Themulti-level mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the firstattachment section protrudes from a first side of the body in a firstdirection, and the second attachment section protrudes from a secondside of the body in a second direction orthogonal to the firstdirection.
 4. The multi-level mounting system according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the first attachment section or the secondattachment section includes a first tier and a second tier, such thatthe object mount connector is closer to the base member when the firsttier is engaged with the tiered mounting portion than when the secondtier is engaged with the tiered mounting portion.
 5. The multi-levelmounting system according to claim 1, wherein the surface anchor portionhas a length and a width, a dimension of the length being greater than adimension of the width, and wherein the tiered mounting portion extendsalong at least a portion of the length of the surface anchor portion,thereby providing a laterally adjustable position at which the object ismountable along the surface anchor portion.
 6. The multi-level mountingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the object mount connector isslidingly engageable with the tiered mounting portion of the basemember.
 7. The multi-level mounting system according to claim 1, whereinthe profile of the tiered mounting portion includes a convex segmentadjacent to a concave segment.
 8. The multi-level mounting systemaccording to claim 1, wherein, when the tiered mounting portion isengaged with the first attachment section, a height dimension defined asa distance extending from the surface anchor portion to a point on theobject mount connector that is farthest away from the surface anchorportion is less than the height dimension when the tiered mountingportion is engaged with the second attachment section.
 9. Themulti-level mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the mountingposition includes at least a first mounting position, a second mountingposition, and a third mounting position, wherein, when the object mountconnector is engaged with the base member, a height dimension of themulti-level mounting system is defined as a distance extending from thesurface anchor portion to a point on the object mount connector that isfarthest away from the surface anchor portion, wherein the firstmounting position and the second mounting position correlate to a firstheight dimension and a second height dimension, respectively, and thethird mounting position correlates to a third height dimension, andwherein the first height dimension is less than the second heightdimension which is less than the third height dimension.
 10. Themulti-level mounting system according to claim 1, further comprising abolt and a nut to secure the object and the object mount connector tothe base member in a fixed position, wherein the tiered mounting portionincludes an elongated channel defined by a pair of lateral sidewalls,the channel being closed at a base thereof by the surface anchor portionand open at a top thereof between the sidewalls, each sidewall includinga lip at an inner edge such that the respective lips extend inwardly onthe channel, and wherein the body of the object mount connector has abolt hole therethrough such that, when the object mount connector isengaged with the tiered mounting portion, the bolt hole is aligned withthe channel to allow the bolt to pass through the bolt hole and betweenthe lips, whereby the bolt is engageable with the nut, and a head of thebolt being sized to catch on the lips when tightened via the nut toprevent removal of the bolt.
 11. The multi-level mounting systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the tiered mounting portion furtherincludes a rib support connected between the sidewalls of the channel.12. The multi-level mounting system according to claim 1, wherein thebody of the object mount connector has a length, a width, and a depth,the length being greater than the width and greater than the depth, andwherein the first attachment section protrudes from the body in adirection of the width of the body, and the second attachment sectionprotrudes from the body in a direction of the length of the body. 13.The multi-level mounting system according to claim 12, wherein theobject mount connector further includes: a first bolt hole that extendsthrough the body in the direction of the length of the body, and asecond bolt hole that extends through the body in the direction of thewidth of the body.
 14. A multi-positional mounting system, comprising: abase member including: a surface anchor portion, and a mounting portionprotruding from the surface anchor portion, the mounting portion havinga profile shape; and an object mount connector including a plurality ofattachment sections, each attachment section having a shape thatcorresponds to the profile shape of the mounting portion, and objectmount connector being engageable with the mounting portion in aplurality of mounting positions, in which the object mount connector isretained in place, at least in part, via engagement between one of theplurality of attachment sections and the mounting portion.
 15. Themulti-positional mounting system according to claim 14, wherein thesurface anchor portion has a flat plate shape and includes surfacemounting holes through a thickness direction thereof, and wherein themounting portion extends integrally with the surface anchor portion in achannel along a length of the surface anchor portion.
 16. Themulti-positional mounting system according to claim 14, wherein theplurality of attachment sections includes: a first attachment sectionconfigured to slidingly engage with the mounting portion in either of afirst mounting position or a second mounting position, whereby a heightof the object mount connector and the base member varies from a firstheight to a second height, and a second attachment section configured toslidingly engage with the mounting portion in a third mounting position,whereby the height of the object mount connector and the base member isa third height that is greater than the second height.
 17. Themulti-positional mounting system according to claim 14, wherein at leastone attachment section of the plurality of attachment sections includesa channel segment defined by two opposing sidewalls, each sidewallhaving at least two ridges that project toward an interior area of thechannel, and wherein the ridges are sized to engage in grooves in theprofile shape of the tiered mounting portion.